The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because:
Contents17
- AThe Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces.
- BEmergence of a 'left wing' in the Congress made the working of the ministries impossible.
- CThere were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces.
- DNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
Show answer
Answer: (D) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
The Congress ministries resigned in 1939 because the British Viceroy (Lord Linlithgow) declared India a party to World War II WITHOUT consulting Indian leaders or the Central Legislature.
Congress demanded that Britain clarify its war aims and promise independence to India.
When the British refused, all Congress ministries in the seven provinces resigned in protest.
None of the given options (a, b, c) mention this real reason — so the answer is (d) None.
Source: Bipin Chandra/Spectrum.
In September 1939, Britain unilaterally declared India a participant in World War II without consulting any Indian leaders or the Central Legislature.
This was the immediate trigger for all seven Congress provincial governments to resign in protest, demanding Britain clarify its war aims and promise Indian independence.
UPSC is testing whether students know the actual reason for resignation rather than getting distracted by internal Congress politics or communal issues.
Congress Ministries (1937-1939)
Modern Indian History Congress ministries seven provinces 1939
Congress Ministries 1937-1939: Formation to Resignation
Congress formed ministries in 7 out of 11 provinces after 1937 elections under Government of India Act 1935
All Congress ministries resigned in October-November 1939 due to World War II declaration without consultation
Lord Linlithgow declared India at war without consulting Indian leaders or Central Legislature
Ministries lasted 28 months and implemented several social reforms
After winning the 1937 provincial elections, Congress faced a dilemma: accept office under the colonial Government of India Act 1935 or reject it as inadequate. The party chose acceptance after the Viceroy gave assurances about non-interference, leading to ministry formation in 7 provinces.
Congress Ministry Status by Province
Province | Status | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
Madras | Congress Ministry | Led by C. Rajagopalachari |
Bombay | Congress Ministry | Led by B.G. Kher |
Central Provinces | Congress Ministry | Led by N.B. Khare |
Orissa | Congress Ministry | Led by Harekrushna Mahtab |
United Provinces | Congress Ministry | Led by Govind Ballabh Pant |
Bihar | Congress Ministry | Led by Sri Krishna Sinha |
North-West Frontier | Congress Ministry | Led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan's party |
Bengal | Coalition without Congress | A.K. Fazlul Huq's Krishak Praja Party |
Punjab | Unionist Party | Sikander Hayat Khan ministry |
Sindh | Coalition | Multiple parties |
Assam | Coalition | Saadulla ministry |
Key Reforms by Congress Ministries
Civil liberties: Released political prisoners, lifted bans on nationalist literature
Education: Promoted basic education, encouraged use of Hindi/regional languages
Rural reforms: Reduced land revenue, protected tenants from arbitrary eviction
Prohibition: Implemented in several provinces as part of Gandhian ideals
Labor welfare: Improved working conditions, supported trade union activities
Path to Resignation (September-November 1939)
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**September 1, 1939**
**Germany invades Poland**, World War II begins in Europe`"]
s2["`**September 3, 1939**
**Lord Linlithgow declares India at war** without consulting Indian leaders or Central Legislature`"]
s3["`**September 14, 1939**
**Congress Working Committee** demands Britain clarify war aims and promise independence`"]
s4["`**October 1939**
**Britain refuses** Congress demands, offers only vague assurances about future constitutional progress`"]
s5["`**October-November 1939**
**All 7 Congress ministries resign** in protest - the 'Day of Deliverance' for Muslim League`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Question Context
This PYQ tests the exact reason for ministry resignation. The correct answer eliminates all three given options because none mention the World War II declaration without consultation - the actual trigger for resignation.
Trap: Option A suggests Congress couldn't form ministries in 4 provinces - but this was not the reason for resignation
Trap: Option B mentions 'left wing' problems - but ideological differences within Congress didn't cause the 1939 resignation
Trap: Option C suggests communal disturbances - but the immediate trigger was the war declaration, not communal issues
Classic UPSC pattern: All given options sound plausible but miss the actual historical reason
India's Entry into World War II
Modern Indian History World War II Lord Linlithgow
India's Involuntary Entry into World War II (1939)
Lord Linlithgow unilaterally declared India at war on September 3, 1939
No consultation with Central Legislature, Congress, or any Indian political party
Congress demanded clear war aims and independence promise before cooperation
British refusal led to Congress ministry resignations and non-cooperation
Unlike World War I when India was automatically involved, by 1939 Indian political consciousness had grown significantly. The Government of India Act 1935 had created provincial autonomy, making unilateral war declaration without consultation a major constitutional and political blunder.
Indian Political Responses to War Declaration
Party/Leader | Initial Response | Key Demands |
|---|---|---|
Indian National Congress | Conditional cooperation | Clear war aims, promise of independence, consultation in war policy |
Muslim League | Conditional cooperation | Pakistan demand recognition, Muslim interests protection |
Communist Party | Initially opposed | Later supported after Germany attacked USSR (1941) |
Hindu Mahasabha | Supported war effort | Hindu interests in post-war settlement |
Forward Bloc (Subhas Bose) | Complete opposition | Britain's difficulty is India's opportunity |
Congress War Aims Demands (September 1939)
Democratic war aims: Britain must fight for democracy and freedom, not just imperial interests
Independence promise: Clear commitment to grant India full independence after the war
Interim arrangement: Immediate formation of provisional national government with real powers
Consultation mechanism: Indian participation in war policy decisions, not just implementation
Post-war guarantee: No return to pre-war colonial status regardless of war outcome
British Response Evolution (1939-1942)
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**August 1940**
**August Offer**: Vague promise of dominion status, Congress rejects`"]
s2["`**March 1942**
**Cripps Mission**: Offers post-war independence with provincial opt-out, Congress rejects`"]
s3["`**August 1942**
**Quit India Movement** launched after Cripps failure`"]
s4["`**1943-1945**
**Deadlock continues** until war ends, massive repression of Congress`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Don't confuse World War I automatic involvement with World War II consultation issue
Lord Linlithgow (not Lord Wavell) was Viceroy during war declaration
Congress demanded independence promise, not just dominion status
War declaration was September 3, 1939 (same day as Britain), not September 1
Government of India Act 1935
Modern Indian History provinces ministries
Government of India Act 1935: Provincial Autonomy & Federal Framework
Introduced provincial autonomy - ended dyarchy in provinces
Created 11 provinces with elected assemblies and responsible governments
Proposed All-India Federation with princely states (never implemented)
Largest Act in British parliamentary history - 451 clauses, 15 schedules
The Act emerged from the Round Table Conferences (1930-32) and aimed to satisfy Indian demands for self-government while maintaining British control. It granted significant autonomy to provinces but kept the center under tight imperial control.
Provincial vs Federal Provisions
Aspect | Provincial Government | Federal Government (Proposed) |
|---|---|---|
Autonomy | Full responsible government | Limited, Governor-General retained key powers |
Dyarchy | Abolished completely | Continued - reserved & transferred subjects |
Elections | Direct elections held in 1937 | Never came into effect |
Subjects | All subjects except defense, foreign affairs | Defense, foreign affairs reserved to Viceroy |
Emergency Powers | Governor could dismiss ministry | Governor-General had overriding powers |
Princely States | Not included | 562 princely states to join federation |
Key Features of the Act
# Government of India Act 1935
## Provincial Autonomy
- 11 provinces
- Responsible government
- Direct elections
- No reserved subjects
## Federal Structure
- British India + Princely States
- Bicameral legislature
- Never implemented
- Required 50% princely state consent
## Safeguards
- Governor's special powers
- Emergency provisions
- Financial control
- Defense & foreign affairs reserved
## Franchise
- Property qualification
- 14% population eligible
- Separate electorates continued
- Weighted representationCongress Acceptance vs Rejection Debate
Initial rejection: Act condemned as 'charter of slavery' due to safeguards and reservations
Nehru's opposition: Feared accepting office would legitimize colonial framework
Gandhi's pragmatism: Saw opportunity to demonstrate administrative capacity and serve people
Final decision: Accept office after Viceroy's assurance of non-interference in day-to-day administration
Conditional acceptance: Reserved right to resign if assurances were violated
Federal part never came into effect - only provincial autonomy was implemented
Don't confuse with Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford reforms)
11 provinces under 1935 Act, not the current 28 states
Direct elections were held, but franchise was still limited to about 14% of population
Muslim League's 'Day of Deliverance'
Modern Indian History
Day of Deliverance: Muslim League's Response to Congress Resignation
Muslim League celebrated December 22, 1939 as 'Day of Deliverance' from Congress rule
Jinnah used Congress resignation to highlight 'Hindu majoritarianism'
Marked beginning of serious Pakistan demand and two-nation theory
Strengthened League's bargaining position with the British
When Congress ministries resigned over the war issue, Muhammad Ali Jinnah saw a political opportunity. He declared the resignations as 'deliverance' from what he termed 'Hindu Raj', using this moment to consolidate Muslim separatist sentiment.
League's Allegations vs Congress Defense
Allegation by Muslim League | Congress Response | Historical Assessment |
|---|---|---|
Vande Mataram forced on Muslims | Song not mandatory, only national anthem | Some overzealous local implementation occurred |
Hindi imposition in education | Regional languages promoted equally | Hindi given preference in some UP schools |
Wardha Scheme promotes Hindu values | Basic education is secular | Gandhi's religious philosophy influenced curriculum |
Congress flag made official | Tricolor represents all communities | Saffron color seen as Hindu symbol by Muslims |
Discrimination in government jobs | Merit-based appointments | Limited Muslim representation in some provinces |
From Day of Deliverance to Pakistan Demand
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**December 22, 1939**
**Day of Deliverance** celebrated across Muslim-majority areas`"]
s2["`**March 23, 1940**
**Lahore Resolution** (Pakistan Resolution) passed by Muslim League`"]
s3["`**1940-1946**
League builds mass base using **'Hindu Raj'** narrative`"]
s4["`**1946**
**Direct Action Day** and partition movement intensifies`"]
s5["`**August 1947**
**Pakistan created** - League's ultimate political victory`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Political Consequences
British strategy: Encouraged League opposition to weaken Congress bargaining power during war
Mass mobilization: League gained popular support using 'oppression' narrative
Constitutional deadlock: Made Hindu-Muslim unity increasingly difficult
Partition seeds: Created psychological foundation for two-nation theory acceptance
Jinnah's emergence: Established him as 'sole spokesman' of Indian Muslims
December 22, 1939 was Day of Deliverance, not immediately after resignation
Don't confuse with Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946)
Lahore Resolution (1940) came after Day of Deliverance, not before
League celebrated end of Congress rule, not British policies